VoiceS

The VoiceS project aims to built the VoicE model by drawing on the results of other eParticipation initiatives and by implementing new and innovative tools via

• the integration of semantics and ontologies and the resulting broad selection of new functionalities
• the integration of a game-based learning concept to enhance accessibility and transparency
• massive marketing and promotion efforts, especially with a focus on Social networking tools

By incorporating Semantics, Serious Games and Social Networks, the VoiceS project will create a state-of-the- art solution merging the results of different eParticipation projects. After having been tested extensively within the existing structures, the improved VoiceS platform and all the processes that have been set in place around it will be made available to other regions via an easy-to-use Toolkit.

VoiceS will update and complement the VoicE Internet platforms with the objective to promote the dialogue between citizens from European regions and “their” regional policy makers from the European parliament or the Assembly of Regions – hence creating a direct link between citizens and the representatives from their region. In terms of contents, the project will continue to focus on the policy field of consumer protection in the EU (a field of high relevance to each citizen) and built on the community and contacts already well-established.

VoiceS is targeted at the following legislative processes:

• the legislation proposal formation stage

• the debate on draft legislation

With VoiceS, by incorporating results of other eParticipation projects1, a whole array of new features will be added to the platform, this way enhancing its functionalities for both citizens and EU decisionmakers dramatically:

• by incorporating semantic applications and ontologies from the projects DALOS and Demos@work, platform users (citizens, MEPs, platform management) will gain access to a multitude of advanced tools: Automatic translation, automatic text summaries, improved search engines, improved tagging (cloud tagging).
• by including a Serious Game as a learning component, VoiceS platform will make the complex EU codecision procedure accessible to a large audience (especially among younger citizens), thus providing necessary understanding and enabling them to contribute actively to the platform.
• including Social networking tools into the strategy for platform marketing and promotion will increase platform outreach drastically, providing access to new user groups and stakeholders.

Apart from new functions, via its Toolkit for Regional eParticipation initiatives, VoiceS will also deliver services to help other regions setting up similar initiatives of their own, beyond the limited framework of this initiative.

• Wimmer, Maria A.
• Scherer, Sabrina
• Ventzke, Stefan
• Karamagioli, Evika
• Koulolias, Vasilis

• University of Koblenz
• Gov2u

• Survey

• Gov2DemOSS

• Computer supported argument visualisation
• Content mangement
• Knowledge management and knowledge engineering
• Ontology
• Semantic web
• Web 2.0
• Web application

• European
• regional

• Citizen groups
• Elected representatives
• Non Governmental Organisation (NGO)
• Government / Executive
• Political parties
• Politicians

• Information Provision
• Deliberation

Scherer, S, Wimmer, MA, and Ventzke, S (2009)
Requirements and recommendations for eParticipation applications
In: Proceedings EDEM conference 2009, 7.-8.9.2009 University of Economics and Business Administration, Vienna, pp. 187-197.